Big Ole' Brake Upgrade Thread for Third Gens

I would very much like to improve the brake pedal feel, and it sounds like the way to do this is the rear disc conversion + master cylinder. There is no way I'm doing this is my driveway, and we don't have the equivalent of a DIYG around here (pity), so it looks as though I'll have to have it done.

Since it sounds like the instructions from SOS are on the crappy side, it there a write-up or video by someone who has been through this that I can give to the shop so their techs aren't cursing my, or my truck's, very existence?

 

I made a pretty rough one. It's on YouTube. Search should bring it up.

 

I will have a look. Thanks!

 

Got a red light: https://youtu.be/iYady5YtgpY

 

Dude I'll give you my number if you want lol I'm an open book on this one!

 

Thanks, man! Maybe I should make an appointment with the shop AND YOU and get the two of you connected via Skype. We can have a camera pointing down on the brake being worked on and you can tell them "NO! NOT THAT PART, THE OTHER PART FIRST!".

So, with this Sequoia MC, I'm going to be needing the separate clutch reservoir, right? ...and I guess I'll need to make a bracket for it.

 

Probably. Mine is Auto so I don't know what the manual set up looks like.

 

Thanks again for the video . I started watching it, but it's on the lengthy side, so I'll probably go through the whole thing tomorrow or over the weekend.

 

No problem. Yeah, it's long. There's a lot going on. Really any experienced mechanic shouldn't have a problem with it.

 

Yeah you'll need a separate reservoir man, I just reused the oem tubing coming from the master cylinder and attached it to an aluminum motorcycle reservoir I found on the internet... Rizoma brand IIRC, and it came with a small universal bracket too

 

Rizoma is good stuff. Wilwood might make something, too.

 

Not a problem. As I recall, there's no shortage of generic bike brake/clutch reservoirs out there. One can even choose the color of anodizing...

Any tips on buying the Sequoia master cylinder? Am I looking for new or "rebuilt"?

 

I ordered mine through SOS performance when I purchased all my brake stuff, but you could definitely order one. For the price id say go with a new one but that's just me either way you should be able to find one online with a decent warranty

Edit: carid.com has Sequoia master cylinders starting at $55

 

Woookay. Thanks again to you and @crashdb. Here we go...

 

Woot! If you go rebuilt on the master cylinder be sure you're getting the reservoir, too. I went Rock Auto for everything that wasn't dealer or SOS specific.

 

Great info here, I've always wonder if the rear drums can be swapped to disk brakes. Nice that you can do it from a 4runner.

 

Thanks! It was a HUGE job all told and I learned a lot about working on brakes over the course of the "marathon of wrenching" as my buddy Jack called it. Just trying to share the knowledge and help others out, I felt like the stock brakes were inadequate to the point of being a safety concern with my setup and intended future mods so I thought it would be good to show everyone else the way! I know I am not the only one who likes big tires and accessories like light bars, bumpers, sliders, armor, etc on this site so I figured for those guys I would post up all my experiences and get others to do the same! So far I'm pretty stoked that a few guys have joined in and upgraded their brakes, I know I am loving the benefits of my upgrades!

 

I definitely appreciate the hard work and sharing it with all of us. GREAT JOB!!!

 

^^^What he said!^^^

 

I'm really digging my swap over. First the braided lines really helped than this was the icing.